Is Mumbai really as cosmopolitan as it is commonly perceived?
“Nah…how can this happen in Mumbai, that too with a Bollywood star?” I heard many people say when Emraan Hashmi reported that he was having difficulty in finding an apartment due to his faith. Then it was Shabana Azmi. “I wanted to buy a flat in Bombay and it wasn't given to me because I was a Muslim and I read the same about Saif (Ali Khan). Now, I mean, if Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi cannot get a flat in Bombay because they are Muslims, then what are we talking about?”
I've studied in Mumbai, stayed in a hostel and enjoyed the freedom to move about even in the late hours of night or wee hours of morning more or less safely. I come from the town of Udaipur, where everyone knows you and seems interested in your affairs. But, when need be, they would also go out of their way to help you. In Mumbai, I loved that people tended to mind their own business. Here, you could feel carefree and uncared for. But not discriminated. At least I thought so.
Years down the line, I've been sensitised towards professionals, students, families, strugglers and stars who have one tag in common — I am a Muslim. A couple of months back, my cousin, who is a pilot with Jet Airways, had his base assigned as Mumbai. He came, stayed at our place and I was sure he'd find a good flat on rent soon in the suburbs.
Daunting task
But it proved to be a much more trying task than we'd anticipated. Through various agents, he scanned Powai, Santacruz, Andheri Lokhandwala, Kandivali Lokhandwala, Thakur Complex (Kandivali), Thakur Village (Kandivali) and so on. The choice proved to be very limited for Muslims. Many more options were available in the same areas, through the same agents, for my sister-in-law (husband's sister), who is a Bengali Brahmin. Most of the agents are gracious enough to inform you at the start about the limited options. The more discreet ones politely shake their heads about the unavailability.
Post many agents and many rejections, my cousin finalised a flat in Kandivali Lokhandwala and gave the token amount. After much delay, it was returned as the society had refused to let a Muslim in, although the owner was ready.
Last week, we went to see a flat in a building complex in Thakur Complex, adjoining the highway, where the society didn't have a problem with a Muslim tenant. But the owner refused to lend it to a Muslim. Although my husband assured that he, a Marwadi, was his brother-in-law and our offices were located quite near that building, there was no convincing the owner.
More liberal place
I walked away from that building, thinking about my grandfather who was the only one to open his shop during the Partition riots in the majority-dominated locality. People from all communities loved him well enough to elect him the Vice Mayor and then Mayor of Udaipur. His wife, my grandma, was the one of the initiators of women's education in Rajasthan and served as the Vice President of the Rajasthan Branch of All India Women's Conference (AIWC), of which Maharani Gayatri Devi was the President, way back in 1952. Our family comprises Kayasth Hindus, Shia and Sunni Muslims, Punjabis, Marwadis Baniyas, Bohras…many of whom have considerable contribution in politics, social service, arts, wildlife, conservation, literature and education in India. We celebrate all festivals round the year. I was always told that the fabric of Indian society was rich with a profusion of languages, traditions and cultures woven over the ancient, medieval and modern ages. It was impossible to separate it thread by thread. Come to think of it, perhaps our little town of Udaipur is much more liberal at heart than many a cosmopolitan city. Perhaps the people of olden days were more liberal-minded than many a modern Indian.
Many societies in Mumbai, of which the majority flats are owned by business classes, have the unwritten rule of not allowing Muslims in. In the apartment complex where my in-laws live, one of the best in the Western Suburbs of Mumbai, there is not a single Muslim family. Even though initially the builders may sell flats to Muslims, once the society is formed, no more are allowed. This is not a general rule in all societies, of course, but a prevalent one.
Yes, there are Muslims, as well as other minority communities, who prefer to stay in ghettos. But I realise, with a heavy heart, that there are not many places for a liberal Muslim to go to. And aren't the majority communities making ghettoes for themselves by not letting the others in?
In Gokuldham society of the popular comedy serial “Tarak Mehta Ka Ulta Chashma”, there are Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, but not a single Muslim family (except a token Muslim small store owner). Perhaps that reflects the reality of many other building complexes in Mumbai. No Muslims Please!
Keywords: Muslim community, Mumbai, cosmopolitan city
Nice topic for next episode of satyameva jayate! may be you should have aamir khan read this article and comments before he starts his research!!
I think it is out of fear then anything else. Everyone knows what happened to Sanjay Dutt. Every one knows that all the sleeper cells are Muslims. In such a scenario one would not like to enter into a problem. I would like to remind the writer that the same thing happened to Sikhs in Delhi, during terrorism in Punjab. I am sure once the terrorism is shed all these issues will get solved.Let us be clear that most of the poeple in the world are peace loving so an act of terrorism brings fear in their life. Moderate muslims will have to condem loudly about the act of terrorism. See the plight of Kashmiri hindus who have been uprooted. No one is prepared to go back out of fear.
The writer has mentioned about the some of the muslims living in ghettos
and is only trying to refer to the fact that a liberal muslim is not
able to find a place in the so called "Liberal Mumbai". Underline the
last quoted phrase.
After reading this article, at one point i feel bad for how things are happening in
our country (if it is happening the way it is being projected", but then i look around
and i say this is non sense! I am a hindu! a brahmin and i have married a muslim
girl.
There maybe some incidents where things may have happened in an unfortunate
way, but it is my belief that while you project negative image, show the positive
image as well!!
Such articles will just increase difference between the two communities. We live in
india and can discuss such sensitive issues among ourself. THINK about those who
live abroad, such articles leave a deep impact in their mind and differences that we
all are trying to minimise will only increase.
It is our right to express our view but same should not be done at the cost of
sentiments of people.
Why are you taking it so personal...!!! In Mumbai Goregaon I will show you place where only Muslims are allowed .. Just go near that MTNL bridge which joins Goregaon west to east... Why dont you talk about that then... Such places are in Jogeshwari also !!!! You have not mention those Society names !!! why? My thinking is that Remove 'Religion' n 'Caste' 2 words from life... n you can see your life is more better than now... Coz then politicians wont get chance to do their dirty politics on those grounds!! Which they are doing from ancient times.... Shabana Azmi ji think !!! N please let me know your reply on my email !!! Hope this comment will come live !!! N you read this..... :)
It is truly disturbing. Are we creating Nazi's Germany in India? or Gandhi's peaceful land? Let's wake up and create a peaceful society
HI, It is a fact that Muslims are not allowed but the same is not true for christians and this is true in every city in India . The divisions are very much there in our country.
Vegetarian practices do exist in every faith. letting out renting the apartment to a non-vegetarian is the preragative of the owner where does the caste and racism comes in there.
This is not limited to Mumbai. Quite common in India. Even in my own apartment, first the builder did not want to sell it to Muslims. Now the society does not want to have Muslims. Mine was the lone dissenting voice in the meeting where they decided to have an unwritten rule of not letting any member renting out to a muslim. How can we fight this kind of discrimination. No laws can help the situation as all the society agreements are in un-written form.
Main issue comes in the food and culture.A veg owner will not rent it to a Non Veg tenant.Similarly culturewise also it is widely different between different religions.It is better if people of the same culture lives together to avoid conflicts.So instead of raising a hue against it,it is better to go along the stream.
As one lived and worked in Mumbai, and married a Maharashrian there are three
development over the past four decades that should make all decent people hang
there heads in shame. (a) The majority of the Hindus are cowed into silence by Bal
Thakrey, a blatant admired of Hitler. Yes. I said majority. If you do not believe me
just review the results of elections over these decades to find how many times
Shiva Sena has been elected to power. (b) A majority of Muslims are either cowed
down by the vocal minority of fundamentalists and do not openly express their
condemnation of the terrorists and communalists among them. In these decent
people such as Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar, Asghar Ali Engineer and such are left
alone. We need more people, Hindus, Muslims, Christians raise their voices in
unision. As Brecht said; "However, they won't say: the times were dark. Rather: why
were their poets silent?"
Please do not sow the seeds of division by publishing such articles. or for that matter any article of this type even if it is true, this will spread the virus which otherwise would have been contaned to packets,and now this may spread to other places.
I am a doctor with fellowship from UK.When I was searching for a flat at ESTANCIA near chennai, the man who is in charge of rentals openly told me that most of the owners are brahmins and will not rent you one.and the same happened.my goodness what happened to tamilnadu.the government should bring a system in place to penalise such people.
It's very shocking to see such discrimination happening in Mumbai, which is supposed to be the most tolerant city in India if not in the world.
Dear Prof. R. Krishnamurthy,
The reason that not not a single Muslim organisation in India which has
unequivocally condemned Muslims for driving out Pandits & Mumbai attack
by Kasab is because muslims do not identify themselves being related to them in
any way. The plight of the Kashmiri Pandits is a "Regional" issue. "Kasab" is a terrorist, from a hostile neighbor with whom we've fought wars. These are NOT
Indian Muslims or Muslims for that matter.
The mere insinuation that a generic Indian Muslim would have common cause with
them is both demeaning and hurtful. We are a secular and non-violent people. It is
truly a deplorable state of affairs when learned men put their fait in such propaganda. If this continues. the day is not far when someone will ask us to wear
a star on our clothes and start putting us in concentration camps.
The question when a Hindu sees a Muslim is 'Does this guy believe in a
'state of Islam' or an 'Islamic state'' ? The difference well explained
by Tarek Fatah in his book 'Chasing a mirage: The Tragic Illusion of an
Islamic State'.
All those who are crying wolf, please listen.
There is no country on this planet more tolerant, more compassionate, more benevolent
than India.
If some Muslims in Mumbai are unable to find apartments, Muslims should take this up the
legal route since it is illegal to turn down someone based on their religion.
But do not go around calling this nation intolerant.
This land below Himalayas had one cultural fabric running all through the place from time immemorial. It had many schools of thought and philosophy but basic tenets were same. Those who tried to change / interfere the basic fabric had to change themselves or regretted their actions.The colonial rule created the divide for its own benefit.
"The Hindu" should not publish such articles. Country got divided and now if this type of articles get published, even cities will have to be divided.
It is the society's prerogative to choose whom they want there. The
contract is between the person's involved. No one can force them to
give up the house. There are Parsi colonies, Jain colonies, Hindu
colonies etc. To serve the composite Indian nationhood we need to
give space to every regional subcultures. That adds to the sum total
of our culture. It is natural for groups in urban areas to want
space where they can practice their culture freely. It is a right
given by the constitution. I think it reeks of communalism that such
an article has been published. Creating a motive where none exists.
Its time this left wing bias is stopped in the Hindu.
That anyone should even feel this, experience this,is extremely sad.
We are not progressing, are we?
Hard fought independence and the concept of secularism remains totally
invalid and void in the sectarian politics.
Don't let your hatred cloud your commonsense.
Don't let unique concept of India fail.
A real Hindu would never hate someone based on their belief.
Love is the only way to reach SHIVA.
What the author mentioned is true and this kind of discriminations are prevalent in our society. In chennai, there are some areas where houses will be rented out only to brahmins. But we cannot blame them because being a houseowner he has the right to decide whom he should rent out his house to, considering the habits and traditions that other tenants follow in order to ensure that there is no cultural clash. In a country like India where almost each and every individual is different from each other in terms of religion, culture and caste etc, I don't see anything wrong in it. A change in this attitude cannot be forced and it should evolve from within.
However in Muslim's case it is purely because of fear and trepidation. The chronoly of events that took place in India and around the world for past 20 years and muslims' reactions to them irrespective of their educational background has has earned them a sort of persona non grata status in the world and they cannot others for that.
I think it is time for the Arab nations to reconsider taking non-Muslim Indians for work as things are getting polarized. Muslims cannot find jobs, good schools, good neighborhood etc in India. It is only logical that they move to greener pastures. Bye .... Bye Bombay. Welcome Mumbhai.( the Hindi Hindu wallahs.)
Being a witness to the 'changes' that took place in a northern
suburban part of Delhi- where Delhi government shifted the illegal
slum-dwellers(majority of them muslims and local claim them to be from
Bangladesh)- I won't be surprised if even in smaller town people won't
rent their home to muslims. A quite suburban area, just few years
back, has become totally ghettoized. Certain areas are now a N0-GO to
locals. Street to the newly erected Mosque is FORBIDDEN to the local
girls. Apparently they 'tempt' newly arrived pious muslims. Muslims
girls are of course virtuous who cover themselves form head to toe, it
is the Hindu girls who need to be corrected by 'pious' muslims through
taunts.
Crime has sky-rocketed. Another slum is coming up on the local NDMC
ground where I played cricket once. Police apparently is helpless as
they fear Minority Commission, NHRC and political leaders.
Call me a bigot but Jinnah was right- Hindus and Muslims are
different- I too won't rent my home to mulims!
And you know what? It is this kind of a prejudice that frustrates one and urges
him/her to take the undesired path. Why make one feel like the ugly duckling? No
body has the right to do so.
Arefa/Shabana Azmi/Hindu, What if I say that "No Hindus please, Muslims only" situation also exists? You need to go straight down from Mumbai to Malapurram, a district in Kerala. A person (I don't want to give names or relationship) who was situated in the middle of a Muslim neighbourhood has been facing continual pressure to sell out and move. The carrots having failed to work, pressures such as cutting access to well water, access to road, walling in are on. There are similar stories in Malapurram/Palakkad area because of Gulf money. Why is there no story on that?
if the country has not been divided, then these divisive things may not
have been there. look at the way minorities are treated in the portions
which were divided and taken away or for that matter in kashmir itself
where not a single minority lives anymore. mumbai is nothing when
compared to that.
Yes, what you said is 100% right.
Have you search the truth, why people have change their mind ?
Whenever any thing right or wrong with them (Muslim)even educated
people would be on the street.
Have they came out on street, whenever any terrorism attack on city.
If you talk about law, they said we will follow the muslim law.
please check about yourself, you (muslim) wants to enjoy the freedom
as any other non muslim citizen.
But when it comes to the law or their community affair they will be
one voice. ( even educated)
Therefore, particular community is getting the response from common
indian.
You all are faithfull to all other muslim, irrespective to his work or
his act against the nation.
you all have same mind set, either educated or non-educated. & less
discussion power, you (muslim) can fit in multicultural, and
multi-ethnic societies.
There is some people in the city as per the author describes,I spent
around 3yrs in the city in the 90s, My experience was at Office it was
horrible, people don't talk much, no sharing of lunch etc, but later
they changed their attitude & i became their favorite, most of them
had a very bad impression about Islam and at home I's sharing room
with a Maharashtrian & a strong Shivsena activist, But he was good
with me even sharing food, he often says we have no issues with ur
religion its only an agenda to keep the people online. So, I have
good experience while leaving the city still most of them are in touch
with me, thanks to Facebook.
I spent one month in India,I love this country and people so much. In France we have 6 millions muslims people. The law is simple to rent an appartment, or buy it. You must earn a lot of monney to rent/buy a flat.
example;for 500$ of rent cost you must earn 1500$ per month, and to have a caution of three months; that's all... Have a nice day.
While discrimination should never be on the basis of surnames etc, a
large part is the behaviour of people. In general, people who follow
ideologies which say only their ideology is right and all others will
rot in hell should change their mindset. Then the world will become a
better place. Its been scientifically proven that humans have existed
for thousands of years and ideologies which are less than couple of
thousand old and divisive should be shunned.
Rabindranath Tagore wrote regretfully that there is some invisible fence
of thorns between Muslims and us in India. I guess that is the case now,
and maybe in the future.
kasmir reason is eye opener in comments
The societies are just trying to maintain the traditions of their common community. If you want them to accept you, are you ready to fore-go some of your traditions and accept theirs? If you cannot do that, how can you expect the society to accept you? There has to be reciprocity.
Globalization has seen increase of trend of homogenization in terms of culture, attitude, tastes, food etc. - and communities by defining rules for allowing "outsiders" are trying to protect their cultural identity. We cannot just look in terms of discrimination. We have to see the picture from the perspective of the community residing in the society.
I also don't agree with discrimination based on race, religion,
language or eating habits while renting out. But blaming societies or
flat owners for their individual/private beliefs is wrong and painting
religious color saying only Muslims are denied flat is wrong. For
instance, in a society dominated by vegetarians even non-muslim people
who take non-vegetarian food is not allowed. I ask a simple question -
will it be possible for an pork eating person to get a flat in muslim
locality and will he be allowed to cook/have pork. In India home is
something very personal and close to heart - so people tend to be
choosy when it comes to renting. In conservative towns like Chennai it
is tough to get flat for people who are single or not staying with
family - why blame owners for that? It would be better to have an open
society but for that both sides have to open up.
how the world know's INDIAN
shahruk khan known as a iconic star of India
AR Rahman is a Oscar winner from India
APJ Kalam is missile man of India
Zaheer khan is a fast bowler of India
Sania Mirza is a tennis player of India
this are the few names and my hindu brother's know more name
but poor world dont know how this muslims are treated in India
Muslim's are facing problem to stay in society even in company's for
job
but please we are also India we born here we want to leave here and
our religion dont teach us terrorism, their is a conspiracy running to
blame muslim community if Indian brother dont support us then where
should we go
& i am sure that more then 95% of hindu's having muslims friend's and
you are aware about his/her nature
Save muslim's save India
jai hind
Madam, you are really true but you never try to analize the reason behind it. Discrimination is not a special phenomena in Mumbai only but every where in the world and not only against Muslims but inside the Muslims itself you will see this problem. In the Sunni dominated area a Shea cannot live peacefully right? The hundred percent educated peole of Kerala is also facing the same problem but the irony is that in the Muslim majority areas, the hindus are facing the discrimination from the majority Muslims and many Muslim youths are the agents of ISI and LeT leaders also and the Hindus of Kerala now fearing to accomodate a Muslim in the are where Hindus are majority. And think about the history of Kashmiri Pandits,they are also have the right to live their birth place like you are thinking. But where we are loosing our fraternity and how to bring back the old unity. So it is time to rethink ! And better to avoid writing this type of articles to make the situation more vulnerable,Thanks.
This seems to be a biased article. The following are the reasons.
1. The people who have said this are high profile
2. What is the guarantee that they are telling the truth? They might have eyed a property and used the name of the community to get a good deal.
3. The right of rejection is with the owner and there is no reason why it should be highlighted so much.
Yeh hai Mumbai..... Well you are talking about religion.. Look at the plight of Bihariss.. They were stoned and thrown out for working and earning a living.. Forget about religion it was bias based on regional basis irrespective of caste and creed.. The fabric that the author is talking about has been long taken a back seat in indian politics among politicians such as Raj Thakerey and Co, who are not even educated enough to understand what democracy and fundamental rights are.. So we might kiss good bye to such idealisitc societal fabric which Gandhi ji had dreamed off.
Unfortunately,this is nothing unusual as we have the same problem in
Chennai. Real estate would appear to be caste/creed ridden everywhere
in India. When you have openly discriminatory ads in newspapers and
nothing is done to prevent such ads, you are touching the tip of the
iceberg. Our metropoles have not lost much of the ancient separation
of villages and towns on caste lines. It is for citizens and political
leader to fight against this type home grown apartheid. Mumbai has
certainly lost much of its cosmopolitan veneer and its claim to be the
multi-cultural capital it once was since the advent of populist and
regionalist parties.
@krsna
But 100% of terrorists are Muslims is true no more. After Makkah Masjid, Malegaon and Samjhota Express blasts and the happenings in the north east. The universal truth all over the world from time immemorial is, the survival of minority community is dependant on the kindness from the majority community and not by statute or police force.
Many readers here have made an earnest concern over the discrimination on Muslims, not only in Mumbai but many a cities across India. Apart from those,I ask all the rest of people who have an hidden agenda or hatred towards Muslims;
1.We as Indians have forgotten the sacrifices made by thousands of Muslims for Independence struggle along with the Hindu Brethren. The so called political parties, in the guise of communal forces are much active and propagate venom among the communities were in fact the agents of British during freedom struggle.The facts stare on us in this aspect, which cant be denied.
2.As contrary to common belief among the Hindus, Muslims in India live a pitiable life, be it education,housing,job opportunities etc..Its a national shame when seen we have a secular constitution.History is systmatically changed for so many years now according to the various political parties, who rule India. What a shame?
3.@Tamil Selvan. Comparison of Holy Mecca and Muslims discrimination is ridiculous. I have never seen such an immature view, without analysing the importance of Holy Places regardless of any faith. You cant just venture in Golden Temple. Tirumala, Banares Temple or Vatican in your own way of whims and fancies. One has to respect the religious customs, whatever it may be from. If such has been the issue with the Middle East, how come one million Indians are working and most of them are Hindus.
4.Some readers have taken the issue of Mugul rule and Kashmir issue as the reason and even justify it. British killed more people and ruled more than 100 countries for many centuries. Despite not a single comment is made against them. On contrary we give them the paeans of praise. Go back toJalianwala massacre and fastforward today, we have Sikh soldiers in front of Buckingham Palace. Its the attitude of people which makes a nation. Do we need to recall the incidents which trigger unrest, communal disharmony etc...? 5.Maoists in India are not Muslims but Hindus. Not a single day passes without an incident which involved kidnapping, bombing, killing government officials with Maoists. Jats and Gujjars have violent ways of protests as everyone knows. They are also Hindus. @Prof Krishnamurthy. Are you listening. Its simply the matter of basic rights here.
Its not only Muslims who face this. Let's make a list
1 non Parsis not allowed in Parsi buildings
2 non maharastrians are many times not welcome in maharastrians society's
3 Non veg not allowed in veg buildings
This is what I have seen. There are probably many more examples
To generalise that muslims are not allowed in the housing societies is, in my
opinion, an unwanted distortion. Has "The Hindu' cared to ascertain what percent
of societies impose this rule, and what percent of societies do not? Has your paper
tried to find out how many Muslims live in the housing societies in Mumbai? You
should not publish such biased reports without sufficient statistics. Are you aware
that there are many societies that do not allow non vegetarians, even if they are
Hindus. Similarly societies formed by say Gujarathis, Keralites etc prefer their own
people. This is not so much anti , as it is more for their own. This is human nature
and should not be automatically declared as anti this or that. Cultural and
linguistic similarities tend to flock together.
The author has brought the larger issue of a disgraceful trend of
segregated dwellings for different communities in general and of
muslims in particular. It is a well known fact that when people
migrate from villages to cities or from cities to cities, they look
for their kins and people from their own community to help them. Clout
of caste and communal networks is also very visible in private jobs
too where the so-called 'network' is utilised to favor our own
kinsmen. The discrimination against muslims and some other socially
disadvantaged groups is a well known fact and the disheartening fact
is the covert social-sanction to such tendencies whose roots can be
found in casteism and communalism. We as an inclusive society need to
seriously introspect and assimilate the deprived sections of the
society in the mainstream, otherwise the visions of our forefathers of
a cohesive, integrated and strong India will never be fulfilled.
I worked a consultant for Municipal Corporation of Mumbai for two years. The hindu muslim dichotomy, were quite evident during the official meetings and the shivaji poster hanging on the walls with a bearded man in a green kurta, symbolic to a muslim, kneeling in shivaji's court, while others enjoy their cushioned chair. Though, Mumbai's cosmopolitan culture is quite evident from the schools running in eight mediums, the food culture and others. however, it seems to be losing its essence.
It is not only about Muslims or Dalits as has been made out in this
column and through the comments. There is still a lot of reluctance to
renting a flat to a bachelor or to a group of bachelors. If we dig
slightly deeper into this phenomenon, we can understand that the
owners have had a bad experience with bachelor tenants or know someone
who has! Nobody wants to take a chance especially with a property
worth lakhs or crores!!
Likewise, house owners were taken to task in Chennai for renting their
apartments to Sri lankan tamils on the grounds that they are
harbouring terrorists!! Imagine, for a second, a news like this
appears in the TV!! Would any owner be willing to take a risk from now
on even if the person appears to be genuine or is willing to pay a
higher rent than usual? I am not suggesting anything here but I request the affected people to have a dialogue with the potential house owners and allay their fears rather than conclude that Mumbai is being hostile to muslims.
Some wonderful and incisive observations are available in the earlierresponses.
One aspect that needs consideration is the "leadership" dimension. Societies which are essentially Organizations, survive and depend on "leaders" or those who are influential and accepted by a large majority in the society as respected individuals. The Indian mileau under the Mahatma was very different from the mileau in some States now clearly because of the leadership. As some comments earlier observed rightly , there is a need for leaders from all sections of society to come together and demonstrate unity. The dastardly killing of the Ranvir Sena chief needs to be condemned by all caste leaders quickly and effectively , howsoever guilty the victim may have been. Such prompt manisfestations will help immensley in Society changing its ways. The UK has many successful stories of building harmonious multi racial communities.
As a liberal muslim, the author will, with a bit of luck, find
liberal Hindus who will be willing to rent their place to her.
The trouble is that the vast majority of India is populated with
conservatives and extremists of both religions who tend to wear
their religious identity on their sleeve, to loudly announce
their religiosity to the world. If you visit any middle-class
Hindu colony, you'll find religious songs blathering from the
houses, the sound of people performing elaborate pujas by loudly reciting sanskrit shlokas, and you'll find that everyone is vegetarian. The only people who can accept this are other similarly religious Hindus. And I'm sure this is the case with predominantly Muslim settlements as well. The truth is - people are comfortable with living among people who look like them, speak like them, eat like them, talk like them; so they can get on with their daily lives without encountering any unsettling difference. I am not sure how heterogeneity can be enforced.
Such descriminations need to be met with,head on, by proper law against such practices
prescribing huge fines for such behavior and a jail term at a second time offence.
Governments cannot keep their eys shut against such crimes against humanity and decency.
If allowed to continue in this manner, it is Muslims today and next it could be North or South
Indians and then the Dalits!! Nip such malpractices of the human society in the bud!!!
Its very disheartening to see how some shameless people blame Muslims
for not condemning the terrorist acts done by people who share same
faith as their's.Why the heck should i appologise for somebody's wrong
doings.Can these insane people tell me what crime have lower caste
hindus done when they are denied a flat .The problem is that middle
class hindus still believe in caste , religion , color bias.They need to
grow up.
This experience narrated by the author is awful. If such discrimination is widely prevalent in "modern" India, it is sad and shameful. At the individual level one could come up with all kinds of rationalizations such actions. The inability to breakdown such barriers says a lot about the society.
In North America, landlords can refuse to rent on certain basis (such owning a pet), but can't refuse to rent on the basis of religion, race, sex, sexual orientation, family status etc. There are human rights and tenancies acts that make such discrimination illegal. I am sorry to say that discrimination in India is pretty bad. People are not only discriminated on the basis of religion, but also region (South Indians in North India and vice-versa), caste and economic status.
A great society is not just one where there is prosperity and great quality of life, but also one where people care about the less fortunate and everyone is given a fair shake in life.
After Mumbaikars' bad experiences during the past many years starting with when Dawood and his D Company literaaly bombed the crap out of the denizens and thereafter regularly on a clockwork basis culminating in the 26/11 massacre,i s it any wonder that people are really scared?Not just Muslims but even guys like Palande,Rajan etc.Why give a color to people's insecurity by saying only Muslims are targeted?That is unfair particularly when
Mumbaikars have been,are and will always be more cosmopolitan and tolerant of all religions.I am a Mumbaikar and proud that Muslims have been my neighbors in the apartment complex where I live.
The problem with several owners is that they want to let it to somebody whom they can trust. I don't see anything wrong or discriminatory. What can we do ? We don't have a system where everybody has a social security number and the house owners can do a background check. So, we have to find someone whom we can convince or somebody who is in need of rent. It has to be a deal for both parties. Several bachelors and single women also find it difficult to rent an apartment. To sensitize this issue as particularly being against Muslims is incorrect. On the other hand, I know of several apartment complexes where builder is Muslim and they have a strict policy of assigning complete blocks to only Muslims and no Hindu can even enter. Definitely, there is prejudice, because in a country like India with 1.15 billion people, where will you start ? But, despite all its drawbacks, India is one wonderful country where "unity in diversity" still holds. Satyamev Jayate in the true sense.
A few days back, I saw an interview with the Oscar-winning Resul Pookkutty on a
Malayalam channel. He narrated an incident where he was looking for a flat in
Mumbai and he asked his wife to go and see one that he had selected. It was in a predominantly Muslim area and she came back crying because the owner insulted her and refused to sell the flat. The reason given by the owner was that his wife
did not 'look' Muslim enough and did not want to sell to non-Muslims.
I mentioned this incident to point out that the trend is not entirely one-sided, but is a reflection of growing 'fear of the other' in bigger cities like Mumbai. There is a Muslim majority district in Kerala, Malappuram where it is very difficult for a non-Muslim to buy a piece of land or house. There were also incidents where non-Christians were barred from some villages of Kanyakumari district. Every bigoted action need to be objected vociferously and we should start
movements of solidarity with our brethren.
In pakistan a little minority of muslims argue against creation of pakistan. But incidences like 1984 against sikhs, demolation of babri masjid in 1991 and gujrat massacre in 2002 convinced them about creation of pakistan. Non availability of residence to javed akhtar (who claims he is not muslim) and others show increasing trend. Follow the exampe of whites in USA, they realized that black minority about 10% will make hostage full country.
Until 1958 there were seprate school, parks, buses etc for blacks and in 50 years now black are part of mainstream. Hindu majorty should do something like that otherwise if muslims not incororated in mainstream they will make hostage indian growth. You cannot keep 15% monority poor. But caste system of hindu culture does not allow mixing even hindus, how non hindus specially muslim may be part of mainstream.
Thank you Arefa for bringing this out and The Hindu to allow it to
publish. You can be a very good muslim without being jerk or nonveg. They expect Muslims to categorically denounce the terrorism and its associates. And I understand from where they are coming from because no where in the media they hear, the every friday khutbah (jumuah sermon) where each imam exhorts about peace and peacemakers, and how mischief makers no matter who they are looked down upon in religion. Solution? Muslims for themselves need to learn and stand with Islam as a way of life. Persevere the discrimination. May be the protests other people are used to and media never covers Eid sermons. I highly doubt denouncing terrorism alone would cleanse the hearts dirtied after decades of divide and rule policy post independence.
Islam is the solution to Terrorism, not its cause. Muslims need to own responsibility and at least keep their nheighbourhoods cleaner as possible, not put all blame on govt and unknown.
To the author, Ma'am, it is great to know that you're family or rather your heritage is a conglomeration of various religions, sects and what not. But, the fact of the matter is that the people of great Mumbai have faced enough atrocities in the name of one god pertaining to one religion. For some reason the perpetrators of the attack have been taken under the arms of the great Indian Govt. and most meticulously cared by the same. I mean, if you ask me the reason for their behavior, I would tell you the following. If the Govt. is not willing to take care of the situation, the people will have to do so themselves. So, I have to break your heart by telling you this hard truth. What I request of you to do so is to not look into this situation holistically, but rather using the updated/current scenario.
Unfortunately, Mumbai has had a terrible reputation for inclusion. I recall the days when the Shiv Sena was targeting South Indians, then came the tirade against Biharis. Despite the veneer of a secular Urban City, Mumbai is very parochial. This explains why Matunga is safer for Tamils!Muslims wishing to blend with the mainstream, rather than live close to Haji Ali, still face problems. This is truly sad. Most of us think that Muslims in India are better off than other Countries but this kind of pettyness hurts us all!
As the author herself states, this discrimination was only in Mumbai,
not in her hometown of Udaipur. Mumbai has been the target of the
underworld mafia. There are many anti-Indian nationals based in Pakistan
who control this city. That makes the non-Muslims feel insecure.
I think this article should be read by elected politicians in Mumbai.
Hi Arefa, I used to live in Mumbai. First time when I moved to mumbai it was a Muslim Broker who helped me get a House for Rent in Borivili. After my one Year Stay in Mumbai I saw things changing slowly, after the train Blast happened. It didn't stop year after Year I guess ..... Still I know there are many places where Muslims are allowed to stay in Mumbai and buy a Flat in Mumbai. But there is deep scar in every ones heart right now. Remember Arefa, this phenomenon is not dictated by a small group of people or any single entity is not responsible for this happening.... People have started to plan on .... how safe they can be. I know exceptions are there .... but Fear knows NO Exceptions!
In Hyderabad, there are certain localities where they allow to reside only Muslims. In some areas, they allow to reside only vegetarians. This kind of things exist in India. I believe its not worse than untouchability. Indian villages still suffering from untouchability, casteism etc.
unfortunate indeed is to be discriminated for any xyz reasons. There's alot that needs to be changed. Although considered a majority all over INDIA I still felt similar while travelling south last year, I realized how alien a NORTH INDIAN might appear to SOUTH INDIANS.There are lot of unsettling experiences a "general" Indian feels not only looking for place to live in but also while seeking admission in college and searching for a job etc.Its not only in Mumbai but policy makers and government have segregated the society all over the INDIA into casts, religions and different vote banks.
Great observation Arefa about gokul dham, but I somehow feel that the change which is required in the society has already begun as you mentioned your sister being married to a brahmin. The society might someday learn to treat us on our merit and not on religion, caste or creed. I do understand that it might still take more time, but there is a strong belief that "WE SHALL OVEROME, SOMEDAY".
! There is a similar issue in Chennai - where owners will not rent their apartment to you if you are not a vegetarian. Another form of discrimination.
It is a matter of disappointment that Muslims are facing problems for apartments to stay in Mumbai. People should change their mind that all muslims are not terrorists.
Thats a pity. I have never been to Mumbai, but I hope things are better in other metro politans and things will change in Mumbai as well. After all, we are all humans!
yes, discrimination against religion, caste and ethinicity is wrong. In Mumbai people don't rent houses to blacks from Africa. Owners of several flats do not rent homes to Indians but only to foreigners etc. In Mecca non muslims are not allowed. So some sort of discrimation exists all over the world. Only time can heal these wounds
that's very sorry state for a heritage rich country like India, where
secularism is supposed to be the founding stone of society!
its very easy to label the majority community as such .. but u should also dig deep into reasons as to why muslims are not allowed as reason and cause go hand in hand ..
It is disheartening to learn that a soceity boycott's muslim community in the biggest democracy in the world. It's high time that as a nation we move forward by shunning the discrimination against any single community.
Arefa, a sad story. But you can't force people on who they should marry
and who they should live next to. Dietary habits are a big part of the
problem.
It's not the religion per se that is the issue. For example, somebody
like APJ Abdul Kalam would surely fit in well anywhere. Indeed his
colleagues used to jokingly call him "Kalam Iyer".
This is bad. Should not happen
In the Muslim World, Sunni's do not rent out their
property to Shia's and Vice- Versa .
Muslims will be welcomed everywhere if they dont encourage terrorists. 10% of the Muslims maybe terrorists , but 100% of terrorists are Muslims.. The day they consider themselves as Indians , love India , they will be welcome as before
This is absolutely shameful. And we fancy ourselves as a major power in
the world. So sad.
A nice article ,enough to emphasize on the perplexing and the most
terrific aspect of modern Mumbai.
There have been concentrated efforts by RSS and its affiliates to tarnish the image of Muslims for the past several decades.Initially they were dismissed as lunatic fringe but this lunacy finally has succeeded.Today educated people have become racists!
These should be expected if one is alert.But the Muslim intelligentsia has failed their community and now it will be a uphill task to change.
"Many societies in Mumbai, of which the majority flats are owned by business classes, have the unwritten rule of not allowing Muslims in."
..and the Hindus expect Muslims to be more tolerant than them?
The problem is the partition of India was not done right. One part
became muslim country and the country was forced to be secular.
A lot of these problems were sown by Nehru and his pacifist ideology.
India needs to remain peaceful. People have to get open-minded.
Very sad but changed times-especially after Mumbai incidents.The author is no doubt a proud Indian-but more serious issue is how many times have we also not seen some good section of muslims preferring religion over nation??? Please put perspectives in both ways. Some of them even blame India for Mumbai incident. This is from a muslim!! We have not had leaders that truly deal with our problems.Its the priorities-why Sikhs and Christians are not questioned but why muslims? Have we failed to keep religion at where it should be? It is also an illusion to think Congress is the only saviour for muslims -when it infact -most of the time-it did not really solve the problems of muslims-other than giving it the status of votebank! Other option muslims have is Pakistan-but do I need to even explain this nations status in the world.......
Do we forget our joy on chasing a record ODI total at Lords when Kaif
and Zaheer were at crease? Do we disown them?
I dont see Anti Indian rent bias in Australia.
Indeed a shameful state of affairs. And this problem is shared by the
lower castes all over India (including Rajasthan). Discrimination by
some self styled protectors of society,social values and housing
societies renders the society more divisive and unhealthy. Although
nothing under the sky can justify this discrimination, yet some
healthy suggestions:
To expose the excuse of security taken by the 'society protectors', I
request the Muslim community to openly criticise and disown those
perpetrators of violent and terrorist acts who happen to belong to
their own community.
Also, the Muslim intelligentsia would do well to reduce the seclusion
of the Muslim society specially of the backward sections and promote
family planning.
Meanwhile, Hindu intelligentsia must oppose it tooth and nail and lead
by example to reduce it.
I am Muslim and lived a few years in Maharashtra(not in Mumbai) for
studies and job thereafter.I had visited Mumbai a number of times and
found it quite cosmopolitan.During my stay in some smaller cities of
Maharashtra I never came across any problem while renting myself a room
or a flat. However, on one occasion when I was supposed to find a flat
for some relatives in Mumbai, I found it an utterly hopeless task
considering the fact that we were Muslims. In Mumbai's high rise
building are often owned by people of business class from outside
Maharashtra who were unwilling accept Muslims in their society. This
led me to surmise that whether the vast migration into Mumbai has made
it more cosmopolitan than even some smaller cities and towns of India?
IF this is trues, it is a reality that must be faced head on. Article 15 and 16 makes it the constitutional obligation that there will be no discrimination in terms of dwellings with respect religion, caste e.t.c.
It is high time that courts, NGOs and govt. take these societies head on and make such practices illegal and impose heavy fines for those who do try to do so.
In Nazi Germany, the first step to dehumanization of jews started by making it explicit policy of not renting or selling property to jews. IF this is not nipped in the bud, then we are creating a similar situation to Muslims and possibly other lower caste groups.
We see USA as an anti-muslim country and criticise its actions.But after such things happening in Mumbai it can be inferred that a terrorist attack significantly changes the psychology of people however liberal and cosmopolitan they are.Most of the muslims are now looked down upon.
I just want to understand the reason why Muslims are not allowed in the apartments of Mumbai? Please discuss why u dislike Muslims in this discussion forum.
Muslims are open for dialogue now.
It is sad that all muslims are stereotyped and discriminated. Not only Mumbai, but
India as a whole needs a statutory code for housing similar to the one in the United
Kingdom for Racial Equality Code for rental and non-rental housing. The Code
should be also applied effectively.
I would very humbly request this lady to stop writing these type of crap.
Islam is the fastest growing religion of the world and this type of articles only reinforces the 'me victim' attitude. I would advise the lady to learn from Jews, who even after centuries of humiliation and prosecution have produced more than 170 nobel prize winners and easily have the highest nobel/population ratio for all religions.
I am working as a middle level executive in SBI in Mumbai.There is a young lady who has impeccable capacity of producing brilliant PPTs and reports.Her name does not reveals her religion,thankfully.So when I received a marriage invitation form her, only then I realised that she was a Muslim (it does not matter). Discussing religion is a taboo in todays growing India and will be finished from social conciousness slowly.So Madam, can I have an article on thousands of Muslim girls who are going ahead in their career and making India proud.
..The writer of this article should introspect and find the answer by
himself. Simply people are afraid of Muslims since they don't know who
will ferment trouble . Our country is not SriLanka where Hindu Tamils
and Christians were brutally killed for alleged support to LTTE . Till
now there is not a single Muslim organisation in India which has
unequivocally condemned Muslims for driving out Pandits & Mumbai attack
by Kasab.
It is really unfortunate that Mumbai which was once the epitome of cosmopolitanism is getting communalised. It is not only muslims who are being discriminated aginst but even people from other states like Bihar and UP. When I see this growing intolerance I feel ashamed to be a Maharashtrian.It is very unfortunate that a state which has produced patriots like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Swami Ramdas Samarth,Sant Dnyaneshwar,Tukaram, Likmanya Tilak,Maharishi Karve,Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Agarkar should become so bigoted and intolerant.
It is high time that brave and patriotic Maharashtrians raise their voice against the communal elemnts who want to polarise Indian society
to further their petty interests.
Maharashtrians should remember that people from all communities have contributed to the social,cultural and economic enrichment of Maharashtra.It is Maharashtra which will be the looser if it looses its secular heritage.
I have great faith in the innate good sense of Maharashtrians.
Respect for THE HINDU once more.. thank you so much for printing this article and highlighting such a vital form of discrimination that the 'modern, forward thinking 21st Century' Indians make. I am a resident of Pune and I am a Dalit. This situation was faced by my family about 7 years ago too when we were looking for a new flat in Pune. The Kothrud,Deccan and Aundh areas of Pune are primarily dominated by Brahmins and Kayasts (CKPs). On enquiring for flat availabilty to the builder in these areas we would be asked our surname in the conversation. On finding it out, we would get answers like "All bookings are done", "No flats are available in this wing but may be another project would start up soon and we would be called".. so on and so forth. This is a very common form of discrimination in Pune where people are mostly addressed by their surnames. Along with the so called 'Cultural' capital it can also be called the 'Casteism' capital of the country..
On the other hand, you will find lots of hindus stay along with moslems and never faced any such issues, in moslem areas/society/buildings hindus are welcomed but it is not the case with hindu dominated areas.
Muslim creates this situation for themselves, as they never oppose
openly the wrongdoing of Islamic terrorist. I have many Muslim friends,
well educated and doing well in job, but they are shy talking about
terrorist problem in kashmir.
People of Mumbai have faced so many terror attacks which has forced them
to not believe/trust on muslims....now its upto moderate muslims to come
out and change this image..this will take some time but not impossible
Forget muslims, Even Maharashtrians are not allowed in some societies because they cook non-veg food and some pure vegetarian communities dont like them, Bengali brothers also find it difficult because some society secretaries cant stand the smell of fish..These are hard facts.
Dont make a big fuss about it. Dont blame mumbai for it. Each society is community driven and they decide who can and who cant live in it.We all have to live with it.... And yes, there are muslim dominated buildings where non-muslims are avoided.
Dont create divide in the country by such useless articles.
The chief middle-class bourgeois of Urban India are primarily upper-caste with their baggage of suspicion for not just Muslims but also the lower castes. And it is this reality that India is the oldest home of racism and the tragedy is the racists are proud of their disease.
This problem is not limited to Mumbai. I have heard similar complaints about
Chennai too. We are really weak in the area of non-discrimination.
Dear Arefa,
The mumabai you are talking about is mumbai post- riots of early 90's that saw many innocent people losing their lives due to bomb blasts that continued well into next decades. Look back into history and you will find excesses meted out by Mughals and other of their likes - such wounds take deep roots and can be destroyed anly by confidence building measures between communties.I appreciate the liberal outlook of your family and would request you to keep up with legacy of your family and not let the communalist attitude of such people to daunt you - for families like yours are the true identities of the diversity of India that each patriotic Indian is proud of. I was driven from my motherland - kahsmir but it would not serve to hate al uslims - as gandhiji said - if eye is takenn for eye, one day whole world will become blind. So lets keep our eyes open for the little mercies of God and strive for better times ahead.
I request not to generalize whole Mumbai with views of few rudimentary
individuals. I have resided in Mumbai for long and at least posh-
societies & elite people have no issues with religion anymore. Same go
through upper & upper-middle income people also.
The problem is with middle & lower income categories where they still
take decisions based on religion, sentiments and traditions so they
prefer people from their own caste let alone religion.
Further we all are very much skeptic about renting our house to some
stranger cause if he/she turns out to be a law-breaker then ultimately
owners have to feel the heat.
And a personal incidence I remember I wanted to rent my appartment in
Vile Parle and one youth muslim couple was reluctant to go through 7
days time period while entering rental contract for thorough police
verification of their character & past doings and when I refused them
entry, they categorise me as anti-secular. Later I rent the house to
Jewish family despite being Hindu
If people have changed over the years... could anyone throw some light on what
caused this change - "Why?" is the question the bugs me... (Don't say racism...Even
the persecution of Jews by Nazis had a trigger reason...)
I started reading the article with a prejudice of 'perceived'
insecurity of Muslims, I even checked if the author was one. But this
article is what I have seen myself sometimes and is not preachy. The
idea that "Perhaps the people of olden days were more liberal-minded
than many a modern Indian" struck to me as somewhat poignant. I am
intrigued at what makes people behave the way they do.
Who has the perceived insecurity now?
Being a Mumbaikar, I also found the same practice in some of the areas of Mumbai where Muslims are not allowed to buy/rent a flat. Even I had been asked earlier by relatives not to let out my flat to Muslims. I found it radiculas and I gave it one muslim family and they are living happily. Discrimination can't be done on the basis of gender, casete or religion. If we are doing this, it means the we are not educated, only literate. For the kind information of all the reader, I am a Hindu and broker who helped to buy the flat was Muslim.
Yes, this is disappointing to read. That too about Mumbai. The
tapestry of city has changed irreversibly since 1992.
Please Email the Editor